America's Cup

Safety recommendations issued by America’s Cup Event Authority FULL STORY HERE
Structural reviews of AC72 boats and wings, a 10-knot lower wind limit (23 knots maximum) and enhanced sailor safety equipment are among the 37 recommendations issued today to increase safety during the Summer of Racing at the 2013 America’s Cup.

Many of the recommendations are intended to increase the personal safety of the sailors and they include buoyancy aids, body armor, crew locator devices, hands-free breathing apparatus and high visibility helmets. Other recommendations are specific to the AC72 yachts, additional support equipment and race management.

Regatta Director Iain Murray presented his 2013 America’s Cup Regatta Director RecommendationsClick image for a larger image

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G New
23 May 2013 6:18
Dinghy

Starcross Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller FULL STORY HERE
A fleet of 25 Merlin Rockets made the journey to Starcross YC despite the weekend forecast jumping between gale force winds, flat calm and pouring rain in the preceding week. Winner of the Silver Tiller event were Matt Biggs and John Hackett from Blithfield SC counting two race wins. Second were Nick Craig and Alan Roberts, Frensham Pond SC, with a first and second and third Alex Jackson and Fran Gifford, Shoreham SC.
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G New
23 May 2013 7:23
Dinghy

Michael Maier takes lead at Finn Worlds FULL STORY HERE
There were lots of changes at the top of the Finn World Masters in La Rochellewith several favourites picking up high scores after the only race sailed. Michael Maier (CZE) sailed a flawless race to claim his second race win and take the overall lead. Andre Budzien (GER) sailed one he would probably prefer to forget and dropped to second, while Erik Lidecis (USA) placed seventh to end the day one point behind Budzien.

Michael Maier (CZE)Click image for a larger image

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Robert Deaves
22 May 2013 22:41
Olympic

Day 2 - Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup FULL STORY HERE
The second day of racing in the Delta Lloyd Regatta tested sailor's fitness and equipment. With the wind averaging 25 knots and peeking at 30, throughout the day made for physical racing. Racing was cancelled for the 49ers, 2.4, Sonar, Nacra and 49er FX. Andrew Mills has taken the lead in the Finn and Alison Young continues to lead in the Radial.

Gordon Lamphere USAClick image for a larger image

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G New
22 May 2013 22:00
News

Andrew Simpson Memorial Service FULL STORY HERE
The funeral service for Olympic gold and silver medallist and America’s Cup sailor Andrew Simpson has been confirmed as 31 May 2013. The service will be held at Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, on Friday 31 May at 1pm, followed by a celebration of Andrew’s life at Sherborne Castle

Andrew James ‘Bart’ Simpson MBE tragically passed away, aged 36, on 9 May 2013 in San Francisco. He was a devoted husband, adored daddy, son, brother and friend to so many whose lives he touched.

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RYA
22 May 2013 12:34
America's Cup

German team to continue in Red Bull Youth AC
The German AC Youth team is still in with a chance of competing at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. In posts by Carsten Kemmling on the German website SegalReporter.com, Kemmling reports, "long Pentecost weekend was marked for SR in terms of long telephone calls Red Bull Youth America's Cup. The German Youth Team has decided to go ahead on their own and we want to help."

SegalReporter is apparently setting up a crowdfunding website to quickly create a way for SR to collect money and the team are being advised by sailing supporters with legal or economic background.

Currently, the team are still researching the required budget. A total amount of 80,000 euros is believed to be required to achieve a certain degree of competitiveness in SF. The includes the coach Markus Koy. The first hurdle is a sum of almost €16,000 for insurance and deposit which must be paid within three weeks.

G New
22 May 2013 7:36
Olympic

Can Olympic sailing think the un-thinkable? FULL STORY HERE
As seems to be the norm for ISAF and Eurosaf events this year, the organisers issue a disclaimer regards the scoring format. Arjen Rahusen, Regatta Chairman explained. “The objective to have a competition understandable for the media and the public while being as fair as possible."

Comments by several leading sailors have not been very happy with the changes so far. The changed formats tending to devalue the early race performances and load the medal races.

Click image for a larger image

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G New
21 May 2013 21:35
Olympic

Day 1 - Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup FULL STORY HERE
It was an intense first day on the water with a tight programme at the Delta Lloyd regatta. Despite the rain and cold the Olympic and Paralympic classes sailed three races apart from the 49ers and RS:X who had four races back to back.

British competitors did well to lead both the 2.4mR, Megan Pascoe leading from Helene Lucas and the Sonar, John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas leading. In the Radial, Alison Young finished the day with a four point lead from Ireland's Annalise Murphy.

Alison Young leads RadialClick image for a larger image

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G New
21 May 2013 20:45
Multihull

Tornado European title for Roland and Nahid Gaebler
Roland and Nahid Gaebler are the new Tornado European Champions, knocking the Greek Red Bull sailors off the podium they have held since 2008. Roland's last European Championships victory came in the 1990's. The final day of racing on Lake Constance was cancelled after a long wait for some wind. The next major Championships for the Tornado Class is the World Championships being held in Ibiza in late September, the planning is already well underway.

Tornado Open & Mixed European Championships 2013 - Final Leaders (31 entries)
1. GER 1 Roland Gaebler and Nahid Gaebler KYC 11,00
2. GRE 7 Paschalidis Iordanis and Konstantinos Trigonis N.C.TH 14,00
3. GRE 11 Nikolaos Mavros and lexandros Tagaropoulos N.C.TH 22,00

G New
21 May 2013 23:28